The Christiana Gordon Interview (Clarksville, TN)

June 10, 2024

The Christiana Gordon Interview (Clarksville, TN)

Name: Christiana Gordon

Hometown: Clarksville, Tennessee

Height: 5-11

Position: Small Forward/Shooting Guard

High School: SPIRE Institute (OH)

Graduation Class: 2025

AAU Club: Sideline Cancer S40

GPA: 3.8

Offers: Clarion, Manhattan, Mercyhurst, Mount St. Mary's, Rider, Saint Francis, Stony Brook, Vermont

Accomplishments: PA Sports Writers' All-State selection (2023, 2024), Cambria County Basketball Coaches Association' Player of the Year (2023, 2024), Cambria County Basketball Coaches Association Freshman of the Year (2022), LHAC All-Conference selection (2022, 2023, 2024)

Status: COMMITTED - Vermont (07/23/24)

JOHNSTOWN, PA -- Christiana Gordon is a 5-11 wing from Johnstown, Pennsylvania, by way of Clarksville, Tennessee. She's a senior at the SPIRE Institute, and ran with Sideline Cancer on the Select 40 Basketball circuit. One of the more versatile and premier prospects in the northeast, Gordon averaged 21.6 points a game, while securing 224 rebounds, swatted 75 shots, dished for 56 assists and added 48 steals to lead the Hilltoppers to a 23-5 record, District 6 & PIAA championship appearances, and was awarded on the PA Sports Writers' All-State first-team in 3A.

Gordon is additionally a highly sought out recruit currently earning offers from Clarion, Saint Francis, Stony Brook, Mount St. Mary’s, Rider, Mercyhurst, Vermont and Manhattan.

The RPN caught up with the 2025 recruit on her junior campaign, recruiting and the outlook heading into the last chapter.

Christiana Gordon Interview

When did you first pick up a ball?

"I started playing basketball around the age of seven. The team I played on was a co-ed youth league team at our local YMCA when I lived in Tennessee. On that team it consisted of majority boys though on the team was my older sister and older brother. To add to that, my mom was the coach of that team. Ever since then she’s coached me up until my eight grade AAU season."

Can you please describe your game from the skill standpoint?

"I would describe my skill set as competitive, while using my speed, height, and length at both ends of the floor. This is mainly because I DON'T like to lose. Defensively, if there’s a player that needs to be stopped, I will offer to guard her and give my best effort. Offensively, I can make the right play at the right time whether I need to score, or need to set my teammates up to score. Overall, my skill set is as competitive as it gets. I’m super passionate about basketball, and I’ll do whatever it takes to be the best and win."

You've moved all over the place, which honestly has surprised me being a hometown hero. In your words, though, how was life growing up?

"Life growing up is never easy for anyone. Through all of my highs and lows, I’ve had so much support from my community, teachers, friends, family, and most importantly my parents. When my team and I lose very important games, everyone still sticks by our side and supports us regardless. I’m super grateful for it all. Everyone who has supported me has impacted my life in so many ways, and has made it ten times better."

"Coming from where I grew up, no one really knows where or what Johnstown is." Gordon continued. "But, it’s a small town with an almost empty mall and mainly nothing to do. Since there’s not much fun to do around here, it definitely brings the community closer along with my friends and family to rely on for having a good time."

You've accomplished a lot in your junior season. Capturing all state honors, performing to the best of your ability but most importantly, guiding Westmont to their first state championship appearance. How was your junior season?

"From a team standpoint, I definitely believe that we couldn’t have got to where we got without playing together. Defense got us to the state championship, and all throughout the season. This team was truly special as we had many ups and downs from losing in triple overtime to a rival team, or winning by 30 in the state semifinal game. I love and appreciate all the seven players and both of my coaches as I have definitely grown as a player and person because of them. Though we are not done and need to get to work if we want to get as far as we did this past season."

"From my own perspective," She continued. "I think this season went great. We came up short in two important games which was 100% on me, so I’m definitely not satisfied. I’m going to be going into my senior year with a whole mindset. I feel many people have said I ‘carried’ my team to where we got, but there are several players on this team who have helped us get so far. There are certain games many players step up whether that is rebounding, knocking down 3’s, and getting some big defensive stops. Every player on this team has contributed in some way, so to sum that up, it couldn’t be me without them."

You’re still at a very early stage of your career. What kinds of things are you doing to make yourself the best player you can be?

"I’m constantly working. I’ve missed so much with my social life because of basketball, but I’ve learned that basketball is way more important to me than school dances and parties. It’s my future, you know. To further that during the offseason is when I work the most from early mornings to late nights. Recently, I’ve been keying in on my off hand since I’m getting older, and going to be going to college soon, so I need to be able to use both hands. But, of course I’m working on all other parts of my game as well. I want to shoutout my dad for always pushing me to keep working, and to never being satisfied with were I’m at. Also want to shoutout to the best trainer, Quan as he’s helped me become the player I am. He’s taught me about the physical and mental aspects of the game. I’m beyond blessed to have a trainer like him in my life."

How has college recruitment been going?

"My recruitment has been going very well. I got my first offer from Clarion on July 27, 2023. I was so excited as I felt like I finally was getting rewarded for all of the work. Ever since than, I’ve kept working and picked up eight more. I picked up five of those offers in one week after the Atlantic City Showcase. Though offers have never just falled in my lap, before that tournament and every other one I have put in the work. Finding courts near the convention centers just to get a workout in before I go play. Working on every aspect of my game. Indoors, Outdoors, everywhere, or anytime it doesn't matter. I don’t have a perfect game every time, but I’m most definitely not satisfied with where I’m at with my game."

"Throughout my whole entire process, I find myself referring back to this verse. 'But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.' from 2 Chronicles 15:7. Using this in life and basketball, just to remind myself that my God has many good things in store for me as long as I keep working."

Is there a timeline set right now for when you're thinking of committing?

"As far as a commitment date, I would like to do it before my senior season. As of right now, I do not have a definite school I want to commit to. It’s all a timing thing. I’ll know when I know. I don’t want to rush because this will be the next 4 years of my life, but I still am weighing all my options to schools who have good academics along with the basketball program. Overall though I am so grateful for everything, and love all the connections that have been built with the schools who have offered and have shown interest in me."

Playing for Sideline Cancer, it means more. More than just basketball, but bigger than yourself at the end of the day. Seeing the rise in the program, now starting to shift into the national ranks, how has the experience been being in Sideline's program?

"I started playing with Sideline Cancer my freshman year. No one from my area knew much about what it really was. From my freshman year to now it has grown incredibly after one year playing under this team they, then combined with CPA and have been growing ever since. Now Sideline is all over the state of Pennsylvania. The amazing thing about playing for Sideline Cancer is that it is really bigger then basketball. We are all playing for something other than ourselves. It’s very unselfish and that just how basketball should be played. The bonding between everyone is amazing. Everyone from every age group is always supporting each other."

"After playing for Sideline Cancer for about three years, I can definitely say a lot people in my hometown now know Sideline Cancer and the message behind it. It is truly amazing seeing it start in Hollidaysburg, then flourishing all around PA. Every age group, boys and girls, and even playing in ‘TBT’. This program has helped me so much. Not only as a player, but as a person. I can’t wait to look back when I’m older and see how much it has grown."

Who would you say you model your game best after?

"I’m a big fan of the NY Liberty. I like their playing style a lot and it’s just fun to watch them. All of the players on the team play very well together. With that being said, I would definitely say that I model my game best after Breanna Stewart. She’s a threat from the inside and perimeter. Just like me and her length is insane."

What is the outlook heading into the last high school chapter?

"I feel like not everyone knows, but we are moved up to 4A. Therefore it will be a little more challenging for state playoffs, but expectations are very high. As a team I hope that we aren’t satisfied with how last season ended. I feel that we are capable of achieving many things together but the work has to be put in, all teams that beat us put in more work as a team. I hope that we stay locked in from the start. If we put in the work we will get rewarded."

"As for me, I’m looking forward to it as it’ll be my last season playing with those girls and playing at that school. So I want it to be the best. It won’t be easy for sure. There’s going to be competition along the way, there’s going to be bad games, and there could be losses. I feel like many people play high school basketball for fun and that’s cool it can be fun. Personally me, I’m done playing. I’m going to be going into my senior year with a whole new mindset."

Close to wrapping this up, but let’s think through this question. What do you see yourself accomplishing in the next five years? Rap to me.

"I never look to far in the future. I definitely have goals for myself, but all of them are goals within a year. Therefore in a year, skill wise I see myself with a developed mid range and right hand. School wise, I want to be confident in the school that I commit to, and hopefully I’ll have a major decided by then as-well."

Thank you Christiana for taking the time to talk with me. Do you have any words of encouragement or motivation for people? Any last words?

"Thank you for giving me this opportunity. All I have to say is keep working. The further you go the harder it gets. Your opponents are always working which means you have to work even harder. All of the work will pay off one day."